A YOUNG woman who was one of two firefighters killed while battling a blaze in Victoria's north-east yesterday was described as a community-minded teenager who "loved life".

Katie Peters, 19, of Tallandoon, was killed when a tree fell on the pair's emergency vehicle near Pheasant Creek, in Harrietville-Alpine north.

The second firefighter, a Corryong man in his 30s, is yet to be named.

Friends and colleagues paid tribute to Ms Peters today.

Department of Sustainability and Environment chief fire officer Alan Goodwin said Ms Peters was an enthusiastic member always willing to take part.

“Katie was always prepared to have a go and was the first one to put up her hand to drive a tanker or use a chainsaw," he said.

"She made time for everyone. She loved working with her mates and was incredibly down to earth and loved by everyone that she worked with.

“She will be sadly missed by all. It’s a very sad loss.”

“These firefighters are part of the DSE family and as the chief fire officer it’s heart wrenching to stand here today and describe the loss we suffer.

“It’s a sad day.”

A DSE statement said Ms Peters "loved animals and was planning to be a vet".

Tallangatta Secondary College principal Alby Freijah said Ms Peters, who had graduated at the end of 2011, was loved my the school community.

He said she held a number of offices in the school, including college vice-captain, house captain, as well as acting as a peer mentor.

"She was a fantastic student and will be very much missed by the school community and also the local community," Mr Freijah said.

Family friend David Wortmann said the rural community was in shock at the loss of both DSE officers.

"You expect the your sons and daughters to come home from work," he said.

"The community's in shock. Two young people - it's an absolute tragedy."

Mr Wortmann said Ms Peters had grown up with his son, Daniel, who was in a vehicle travelling behind the truck when the accident happened.

He said Ms Peters had joined the DSE to save money for university.

He said the sports-mad teen was definitely fit for the job.

"Firefighting wouldn't have fazed Katie, she would've been up to the task," he said.

Another family friend, who described Ms Peters as a "beautiful girl", said she had joined the DSE last year with mates.

It was believed to be her third stint battling the monster Harrietviile blaze.

Police said the Corryong man killed was well known to the local community.

Supt Paul O'Halloran praised the efforts of the emergency services colleagues of the man who continued to battle the blaze after the tragedy.

"I think the thing to remember through all of this is that the DSE and other emergency services have to continue despite this issue and have actually facilitated our access to the scene. So it must've been very, very tough for those people," Supt O'Halloran said.

"I know a number of my police officers had to personally attend to the next of kin, that's badly affected my officers."

He said several people were nearby when the tragedy happened, and some had witnessed it.

"We are in the process of getting a number of statements from people who were close to the victims at the time," he said.

He said investigator came up against several challenges in accessing the scene, including the ongoing fire in the area.

"The difficulty was we could've lost the evidence in examination of the scene and secondly, we didn't want to delay access to further firefighting efforts."

Police have deployed investigators from Melbourne, and WorkSafe will work with police on the investigation.

Flags are being flown at half-mast across Victoria today as a mark of respect to two firefighters.

Premier Ted Baillieu said the incident was a tragedy.

"It is with great sadness that I received the news that two DSE firefighters have died while fighting the Harrietville fires yesterday afternoon," Mr Baillieu said.

"My thoughts – and the thoughts of all Victorians – are with their families and loved ones at this time."

The DSE officers were working around the remote Pheasant Creek Track at Selwyn, 170km north-east of Melbourne, when the tragedy happened.

Emergency services converged on the area last night, braving the fire, harsh terrain and the risk of of further falling trees.

The pair had been part of a major effort fighting the 27,000ha fire that has been burning in the Harrietville area since January 21, intermittently threatening communities.

The fire threat prevented emergency crews from getting to the pair. Officers did not get to the scene until 8.10pm.

Mr Baillieu said the state would act straight away to honour the two workers.

"As an immediate mark of respect, flags in Victoria will be at half-mast today," he said.

He said the summer had been a long and tough one for those battling blazes across the state.

"Our thoughts extend to all agencies that have been engaged in this effort," he said.

"The tragic loss of these two firefighters will affect all those who have been fighting these fires and protecting Victorian communities."

Australian Workers Union Victorian secretary Cesar Melhem said members were in mourning, adding the loss would be shattering for their families.

He said the DSE firefighters were "the SAS of the firefighters. (They) work in the most horrific conditions imaginable, away from the big centres, out in the bush, and with very little recognition of their heroic contribution to the state. They have died heroes, which will be no small comfort to those that grieve them".

Alpine Shire Mayor Peter Roper said the deaths were a tragic loss.

“These people are out there risking their lives to save other lives, and I wish it never happened, I wish this bushfire never happened," he said.

A coroner will head to the scene today.

They are the third and fourth Victorian firefighters to die this summer.

In December, CFA volunteer Peter Harry collapsed died while battling a house fire in Gisborne.

Last month, 61-year-old DSE firefighter Peter Cramer, from Gippsland, died fighting a fire in Tasmania.

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